UC-NRLF 


B  ^  3m 


II  Illl 


FIRST  IRON  CLAD 
1SMMVL  ENGAGEMENT 


WORLD 


S^MEERIMAC-AaBjGINIA 


MONITOR 


HAMPTON  ROADS 

MARCH  8  &9, 


Cije  first 
Sron^CIati  Jftatal  engagement 


HISTORY     OF     FACTS     OF 
THE     GREAT    NAVAL    BATTLE 

BETWEEN 

THE  MERRIMAC-VIRGINIA,    C.  S.  N. 

AND 

THE  ERICSSON    MONITOR,    U.  S.  N. 

Hampton  Roads, 
March  8  and  9,  1862. 


BY 


E.  V.  WHITE,  Portsmouth,  Yirginia, 

I*  \ 

Late  of  Georgia. 


NEW  YORK  : 
J.  S.  OGILVIE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY, 

57  KOBE  STREET. 


Copyright,  1906,  by 
E.  V.  White. 


1.  "  Merrimac  "  destroyed  at  the  burning  of 
the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard,  April  1 9th,  i  86 1 . 

2.  "Merrimac*'   in  dry  dock,  being  con- 
verted into  the  iron  battery  "  Virginia.'' 

3.  "  Virginia  "  passing  Fort  Norfolk,  March 
8th,  1862. 

4.  "  Virginia  "  sinking  the  "  Cumberland," 


5.  "Virginia"  engaged  in  battle  with  the 
"  Monitor,"  in  Hampton  Roads,  March 
9th,  1862. 

6.  Destruction    of    the    "Virginia,"    May 
i  ith,  1862. 

7.  E.  V.  White,  of  Engineer  Corps,  in  Con- 
federate Naval  uniform,  taken  February 


jforetoorfc. 


WERE  the  present  a  period  of  war  between  the  States,  the  reader  could 
readily  appreciate  the  occasion  for  this  publication.  In  that  event,  the  novelty 
of  the  new  instrument  of  destruction — the  Iron-Clad — would  intensely  in- 
terest the  military  student,  and  the  skill  and  courage  manifested  by  the  com- 
batants would  stir  the  enthusiasm  and  call  forth  the  patriotism  of  the  reader. 

This  is,  however,  an  era  not  of  strife,  but  of  peace.  It  is  a  time  of  good- 
will. No  conflict  between  the  sections  now  exists.  The  former  foemen  are 
brethren.  The  alarms  and  woes  of  battle  have  all  passed  away.  Peace 
smiles  upon  a  united  people,  and  hallows  the  Star  Spangled  Banner, 
the  common  flag  of  an  undismembered  country  and  an  unruptured  union. 

What,  under  such  conditions,  is  the  propriety  of  a  discussion  like  the 
present?  Certainly  we  do  not  purpose  breeding  discord  between  the  lately 
contending  communities. 

As  citizens  of  a  government  which  has  aptly  and  happily  been  described 
as  an  "indissoluble  union  of  indestructible  States"  we  may  contemplate 
historic  battles  of  our  Civil  War  as  most  impressive  manifestations  of  the 
patriotism,  valor  and  wonderful  resources  of  the  participants  therein.  And 
in  a  recital  of  their  details  we  can  find  something  to  inspire  love  of  country 
and  admiration  for  and  confidence  in  the  communities  that  make  up  the 
composite  people  of  our  great  nation. 

The  principal  value  of  my  book  is  that  I  purpose  stating  what  occurred 
under  my  own  observation,  and  my  description  of  this  historic  naval  engage- 
ment will  be  the  story  of  both  a  witness  and  a  participant.  As  far  as  oppor- 
tunity made  me  a  competent  witness,  and  my  memory  has  preserved  the 
integrity  of  the  facts,  the  description  will  be  trustworthy. 

I  have  introduced  in  my  description  some  elements  that  are  personal 
to  myself,  which  seemed  to  me  to  add  to  the  value  of  the  statement — in  some 
measure  to  be  necessary  to  it. 

My  command,  the  City  Light  Guard,  of  Columbus,  Ga.,  arrived  in 
Portsmouth,  Va.,  Monday  morning,  April  2ist,  1861.  The  Navy  Yard 
was  burned  and  destroyed  April  I9th,  two  days  before  our  arrival.  We 
were  quartered  at  the  Naval  Hospital,  and  on  the  day  of  arrival  I  visited 
the  Navy  Yard  and  there  looked  upon  the  smoking,  smouldering  remains 
of  the  "Merrimac,"  upon  whose  hull  was  subsequently  erected  the  great 
naval  wonder  of  the  world,  the  Iron-Clad  "Virginia."  That  you  may  more 
intelligently  consider  the  subject  of  this  issue,  I  give,  briefly,  the  history, 
dimensions  and  other  particulars  of  this  famous  ship. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


HISTORY 

OF  THE 

WORLD-FAMOUS   BATTLESHIP 


1855-1862. 


A    PERSONAL    REMINISCENCE 


HE  U.  S.  S.  "Merrimac"  was  a  steam  frigate.  Her  hull 
was  built  at  Boston,  Mass.,  her  engines  at  Cold  Springs, 
N.  Y.,  and  she  was  placed  in  commission  in  1855.  Early 
in  1856  she  was  officered  and  manned  with  a  crew  of  650 
specially  selected  men,  with  an  armament  of  60  guns.  She 
was  considered  to  represent  the  best  type  of  war-ship  then 
known,  and  was  sent  to  European  waters  as  a  specimen  of  the  finest  naval 
architecture  then  afloat,  and  from  reports  of  her  royal  entertainment  abroad 
she  unquestionably  proved  to  be  all  that  the  United  States  Government  had 
claimed  for  her.  Returning  after  a  four  years'  successful  cruise,  she  was 
put  out  of  commission  at  the  Portsmouth,  Va.,  Navy  Yard,  and  upon  the 
evacuation  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  April  iQth,  1861,  this  ship,  with 
others,  was  dismantled  and  burned  to  the  water-line.  After  mature  con- 
sideration the  Confederate  authorities  determined  to  raise  the  "Merrimac," 
and  upon  her  hull  construct  a  powerful  battery  for  the  protection  of 
Norfolk  harbor  and  the  mouth  of  the  James  River.  Upon  plans  supplied 
by  a  Virginian  the  work  of  construction  proceeded  until  its  completion. 

The  "Virginia,"  as  she  was  afterwards  named,  was  covered  amidships 
with  a  roof  170  feet  long,  built  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees,  constructed  of 
2O-inch  heart  pine,  and  covered  with  4-inch  oak.  Upon  this  wood  backing 
there  were  two  iron  plates  two  inches  thick  and  seven  inches  wide,  one  laid 
horizontally  and  the  other  vertically,  making  the  armament  four  inches 
thick.  These  plates  were  bolted  through  the  wood  and  clinched  on  the  in- 
side. Her  bow  was  armed  below  water  with  a  cast-iron  prow  about  6  feet 
long,  to  be  used  as  a  ram.  Her  weakest  element  was  her  motive  power,  her 
old  engines  and  boilers  having  already  been  condemned.  Her  ordnance 
consisted  of  ten  guns:  two  7-inch  steel-banded  Brooke  rifles,  mounted  as 
pivot  guns  at  the  bow  and  stern;  two  6-inch  rifles  of  the  same  pattern, 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

and  six  9-inch  Dahlgren  smooth-bore  broadside  guns.  Her  commander 
was  Commodore  Franklin  Buchanan,  one  of  the  bravest  and  ablest 
officers  of  the  old  service.  Her  second  in  command  was  Lieut.  Catesby  Ap. 
R.  Jones,  distinguished  both  for  ability  and  great  gallantry.  Her  crew 
numbered  350,  most  of  whom  had  volunteered  from  the  army  for  the  occa- 
sion, and  the  emergencies  of  the  service  allowed  little  time  for  either  testing 
her  engines  or  drilling  her  crew. 

Early  in  December,  '61,  I  conceived  the  idea  of  becoming  one  of  the 
number  who  should  test  the  qualities  of  this  mighty  engine  of  destruction. 
I  made  application  for  the  position  desired,  received  my  appointment, 
January  i6th,  1862,  and  two  days  thereafter  reported  for  duty.  Thence- 
forth, until  her  tragic  end,  the  "Virginia"  was  my  companion,  and  I  watched 
her  growth  and  completion,  and  all  the  stirring  incidents  in  her  brief  but 
wonderful  career,  with  a  profound  interest. 

My  position  was  that  of  junior  engineer,  and  I  was  placed  on  the  gun- 
deck  in  charge  of  the  engine-room  gong  and  the  speaking-tube,  by  means  of 
which  the  engineers  on  duty  could  be  reached.  Commodore  Buchanan  and 
Chief  Engineer  Ramsey  termed  me  their  aide,  and  as  such  I  conveyed  all 
orders  from  the  officers  in  charge  to*  the  engine-room,  both  for  the  work- 
ing of  the  engines  and  the  sending  of  hot  shot  to  the  gun-deck.  I  ask 
pardon  for  thus  alluding  to  myself,  but  find  such  reference  necessary  that 
you  may  understand  the  ground  upon  which  I  claim  more  than  ordinary 
facilities  for  observing  the  events  that  characterized  this  memorable  battle, 
having  five  port-holes  for  observation. 

Finally  the  great  ship  was  reported  ready  for  duty,  and  well  do  I  re- 
member the  words  that  fell  from  the  lips  of  our  commander,  Commodore 
Buchanan,  who  had  but  recently  taken  charge — his  words  completely  off- 
setting several  well-circulated  reports  then  current  regarding  both  himself 
and  the  ship.  He  told  us  not  to  mistrust  him;  that  he  intended  to  do  his 
duty,  and  expected  the  same  from  one  and  all  on  board.  (I  allude  to  the 
report  concerning  the  possible  conduct  of  the  two  brothers  now  soon  to 
meet  in  deadly  battle,  and  the  statement  that  the  concussion  of  the  shots 
would  deafen  all  on  board  our  ship.  Commodore  Buchanan's  brother  was 
an  officer  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Cumberland.) 

At,  or  about,  12  o'clock  M.,  March  8th,  1862,  the  "Virginia"  cast  loose 
from  the  wharf  at  the  Navy  Yard  and  steamed  slowly  to  the  work  of  the 
day,  passing  down  Elizabeth  River,  saluted  by  our  batteries  and  cheered 
by  the  citizens  and  soldiers,  who  lined  every  available  point  on  both  sides 
of  the  river  to  witness  the  initial  engagement  of  this  new  idea  war-ship, 
the  result  of  which  was  eagerly  awaited  by  the  whole  world ;  for  never  had 
there  been  a  bolder  attack  than  was  about  to  be  made  that  day.  Passing 


through  the  obstruction  at  Craney  Island,  she  headed  directly  for  Newport 
News,  where  the  U.  S.  S.  "Cumberland"  and  U.  S.  S.  "Congress"  lay  riding 
at  anchor,  blockading  James  River.  The  day  was  beautifully  calm  and  clear, 
and  nothing  in  the  tranquil  scene  gave  indication  of  the  mortal  and  bloody 
conflict  soon  to  be  enacted.  Ere  she  reached  these  ships  several  large 
Men-of-War  started  from  Old  Point  to  the  help  of  their  sister  ships; 
among  them  the  "Minnesota,"  which  grounded  near  Newport  News  point. 
The  "Congress"  was  the  first  to  fire,  with  a  full  broadside,  upon  our  ship, 
followed  by  the  "Cumberland,"  and  from  the  latter's  shot  the  hog  chain 
was  parted  and  driven  back  into  our  ship,  killing  one  man  and  wounding 
several  others.  Every  available  Federal  gun  that  could  be  brought  to  bear 
on  the  "Virginia"  opened  fire.  Reserving  her  fire  until  within  easy  range, 
the  "Virginia's"  bow  rifle  was  used  with  terrible  effect;  and,  as  has  been 
frequently  stated,  opened  a  hole  in  the  "Cumberland"  large  enough  for  a 
horse  and  cart  to  drive  through.  We  made  directly  for  the  latter  vessel. 
When  at  probably  fifty  yards  distance,  with  slackened  speed,  but  with  de- 
termined purpose,  we  moved  on  towards  the  gallant  ship,  and  struck  her 
the  deadly  blow,  but  with  little  jar  to  the  "Virginia,"  backing  our  engines 
at  once  until  we  had  cleared  the  disabled  vessel.  A  shot  from  the  "Con- 
gress" struck  the  muzzle  of  one  of  our  broadside  9-inch  Dahlgren  guns, 
breaking  off  about  two  feet  of  it,  killing  one  man  and  wounding  a  few 
others.  Reversing  our  engines  we  passed  the  "Cumberland,"  which,  though 
now  sinking,  was  bravely  fighting  her  guns  and  exhibiting  a  heroism  worthy 
of  all  praise,  and  which  entitled  her  to  the  renown  that  has  since  that  day 
been  attached  to  her  name. 

We  then  moved  up  the  James  River  to  a  place  of  easy  turning  for 
our  ship,  and  started  back,  being  joined  in  the  meantime  by  the  James  River 
fleet,  consisting  of  several  steamers.  Then,  with  probably  one  hundred 
guns  firing  upon  us  from  various  points,  we  came  within  two  hundred  yards 
of  the  now  grounded  "Congress,"  upon  which  we  opened  fire.  After  we 
had  delivered  several  well-directed  shots  that  sent  disaster  to  that  ship, 
and  many  souls  to  their  eternal  home,  she  (the  "Congress")  hoisted  the 
white  flag,  and  all  firing  ceased.  Arrangements  were  then  commenced  for 
receiving  the  surrender  and  removing  the  dead  and  wounded  from  both  the 
enemy's  ship  and  our  own.  While  our  officers  were  aboard  the  "Con- 
gress," and  many  on  the  upper  deck  of  the  "Virginia,"  exposed  because  of 
the  Federals'  white  flag — which  was  a  signal  for  help — being  displayed, 
the  enemy  opened  fire  from  the  shore  battery  upon  us,  wounding  many, 
amongst  them  Commodore  Buchanan,  shot  through  the  thigh,  and  Lieut. 
Minor,  shot  through  the  side.  Our  boats  were  ordered  to  clear  the  "Con- 
gress," and  Commodore  Buchanan  turned  the  command  of  our  ship  over  to 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

Lieut  Catesby  Ap.  R.  Jones,  instructing  him  to  set  fire  to  the  "Congress." 
I  received  orders  for  three  hot  shot,  and  soon  that  vessel  was  in  flames.  The 
" Cumberland,"  the  while,  had  gone  down  beneath  the  waters  of  the  James, 
taking  with  her  in  that  awful  plunge  many  who  had  gallantly  remained  at 
their  posts  of  duty. 

It  being  now  nearly  dark,  and  the  work  of  transferring  the  dead  and 
wounded,  to  be  conveyed  to  the  naval  hospital,  being  completed,  we  steamed 
over  to  the  buoy  at  Sewell's  Point,  and  came  to  anchor  for  the  night.  As 
I  was  one  of  the  unfortunate  ones  placed  on  first  watch,  I  had  very  little  rest, 
but  was  fully  compensated  for  the  performance  of  this  arduous  duty  by  wit- 
nessing the  grand  and  impressive  sight  of  the  explosion  of  the  "Congress" 
later  in  the  night — a  scene  too  solemnly  beautiful  to>  attempt  to  describe. 

It  will  increase  your  interest  in  this  connection  to  know  the  estimate 
of  the  first  day's  fight  of  the  "Virginia"  by  our  adversaries,  and  to  be  in- 
formed of  the  panic  created  at  the  North.  I  beg  leave,  therefore,  to  in- 
troduce several  statements.  First,  regarding  the  impression  at  Washing- 
ton and  the  North,  relative  to  the  battle,  as  described  in  the  letter  of  a 
Washington  correspondent : 

"The  swift  work  done  by  the  'Merrimac'  on  this  occasion  spread 
consternation  throughout  the  Northern  States.  The  blockade  of  the 
Atlantic  Coast  maintained  at  that  time  could  not  last  long  before  this 
mighty  and  invulnerable  engine  of  destruction.  New  York,  Boston 
and  Washington  would  soon  be  threatened.  The  most  alarming  crisis 
of  the  Civil  War  was  at  hand.  As  the  sun  went  down  that  night  over 
Hampton  Roads  every  Union  heart  in  the  fleet  and  in  the  fortress 
throbbed  with  despair.  There  was  no  gleam  of  hope.  The  'Merri- 
mac' was  impervious  to  balls,  and  could  go  where  she  pleased.  In  the 
morning,  it  would  be  easy  work  for  her  to  destroy  our  whole  fleet.  She 
could  then  shell  Newport  News  and  Fortress  Monroe  at  her  leisure,  set- 
ting everything  combustible  in  flames,  and  driving  every  man  from  the 
guns.  As  the  news  of  the  terrible  disaster  was  flashed  over  the  coun- 
try by  the  telegraph,wires  all  faces  wore  an  expression  of  consternation. 
The  writer  was  in  Washington  at  the  time.  Congress  was  in  session. 
The  panic  cannot  be  described.  There  was  absolutely  nothing  to>  pre- 
vent the  'Merrimac'  from  ascending  the  Potomac  and  laying  the  capital 
in  ashes,  providing  there  was  sufficient  depth  of  water  to  float  the 
steamer,  and  no  one  knew  whether  there  was  this  depth  or  not,  for 
no  one  knew  the  draft  of  the  'Merrimac.'  Baltimore,  Philadelphia, 
New  York,  Boston  and  Portland  were  in  a  state  of  terror.  'The 
'Merrimac'  could  laugh  at  forts,'  says  Abbott,  in  his  history. 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac-Virginia." 

"The  experiment  of  an  hour  had  wrought  an  entire  change  in 
naval  architecture  and  in  defensive  fortifications  throughout  the  world. 
Wooden  frigates  had  almost  ceased  to  be  of  any  value.  The  blow 
which  sunk  the  'Cumberland'  demolished  also  the  fleets  of  England 
and  France.  All  navies  went  down  with  that  frigate  into  the  abyss 
together.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  such  a  night  of  anxiety,  of 
terror,  of  bewilderment,  as  followed  the  triumphant  return  of  the 
'Merrimac'  to  her  anchorage  behind  Craney  Island,  this  world  has 
seldom  witnessed  before." 

Second,  the  battle  as  it  appeared  to  an  eye-witness  who  stood  upon 
the  shore  and  within  the  Federal  lines  at  Old  Point.  This  eye-witness  from 
Fortress  Monroe  thus  touchingly  describes  the  scenes  which  transpired  and 
the  emotions  which  were  excited  on  that  eventful  Saturday  night : 

"That  morrow !  How  anxiously  we  waited  for  it !  How  much 
we  feared  its  results !  How  anxious  our  Saturday  eve  of  preparation ! 
At  sundown  there  was  nothing  to  dispute  the  empire  of  the  seas  with 
the  'Merrimac,'  and  had  a  land  attack  been  made  by  Magruder  then, 
God  only  knows  what  our  fate  would  have  been.  The  'St.  Lawrence' 
and  the  'Minnesota7  aground  and  helpless,  the  'Roanoke'  with  a  broken 
shaft — these  were  our  defenses  by  sea;  while  on  land  we  were  doing 
all  possible  to  resist  a  night  invasion,  but  who  could  hope  that  these 
would  have  much  efficiency !  Oh !  What  a  night  that  was ;  that  night  I 
never  can  forget.  There  was  no  fear  during  its  long  hours — danger, 
I  find,  does  not  bring  that — but  there  was  a  longing  for  some  inter- 
position of  God  and  waiting  upon  Him,  from  whom  we  felt  our  help 
must  come,  in  earnest,  fervent  prayer,  while  not  neglecting  all  the 
means  of  martial  defense  He  had  placed  in  our  hands.  Fugitives 
from  Newport  News  kept  arriving;  ladies  and  children  had  walked 
the  long  ten  miles  from  Newport  News,  feeling  that  their  presence 
only  embarrassed  their  brave  husbands.  Sailors  from  the  'Congress' 
and  'Cumberland'  came,  one  of  them  with  his  ship's  flag  bound  about 
his  waist,  as  he  had  swum  with  it  ashore,  determined  the  enemy  should 
never  trail  it  in  dishonor  as  a  trophy.  Dusky  fugitives,  the  contra- 
bands, came  mournfully  fleeing  from  a  fate  worse  than  death — slavery. 
These  entered  my  cabin  hungry  and  weary,  or  passed  it  in  long,  sad 
procession.  The  heavens  were  aflame  with  the  burning  'Congress.' 
The  hotel  was  crowded  with  fugitives,  and  private  hospitality  was 
taxed  to  the  utmost.  But  there  were  no  soldiers  among  the  flying  host; 
all  in  our  camps  at  Newport  News  and  Camp  Hamilton  were  at  the 
post  of  duty,  undismayed  and  ready  to  do  all  and  dare  all  for  their 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

country.  The  sailors  came  only  to  seek  another  chance  at  the  enemy, 
since  the  bold  'Cumberland'  had  gone  down  in  the  deep  waters  and 
the  'Congress'  had  gone  upward,  as  if  a  chariot  of  fire  to  convey  the 
manly  souls,  whose  bodies  had  perished  in  that  conflict,  upward  to 
heaven.  I  had  lost  several  friends  there;  yet  not  lost,  for  they  are 
saved  who  do  their  duty  to  their  country  and  their  God,  as  these 
had  done.  We  did  not  pray  in  vain. 

"The  heavy  night  hung  dark  the  hills  and  waters  o'er,  but  the 
night  was  not  half  so  heavy  as  our  hearts,  nor  so  dark  as  our  pros- 
pects. All  at  once  a  speck  of  light  gleamed  on  the  distant  wave;  it 
moved;  it  came  nearer  and  nearer,  and  at  10  o'clock  at  night  the 
'Monitor'  appeared.  'When  the  tale  of  bricks  is  doubled,  Moses 
comes !'  I  never  more  firmly  believed  in  special  providences  than  at 
that  hour.  Even  skeptics  for  the  moment  were  converted,  and  said: 
'God  has  sent  her!'  But  how  insignificant  she  looked;  she  was  but  a 
speck  on  the  dark  blue  sea  at  night,  almost  a  laughable  object  by  day. 
The  enemy  called  her  a  'cheese-box  on  a  raft,'  and  the  comparison  is  a 
good  one.  Could  she  meet  the  'Merrimac?'  The  morrow  must  deter- 
mine, for,  under  God,  the  'Monitor'  is  our  only  hope." 

Just  here,  also,  permit  me  to  introduce  an  account  by  this  same  eye- 
witness of  the  second  day's  engagement.  This  account,  though  written  in 
thrilling  words,  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  actual  facts,  as  I  shall  show 
later  on  in  my  own  description  of  this  day's  fight.  He  says : 

"The  'Merrimac,'  in  her  attempt  to  run  down  the  'Monitor,' 
failed  entirely.  She  struck  her  antagonist  fairly  and  at  full  speed, 
causing,  however,  but  a  slight  jar.  By  the  collision  the  prow  of  the 
'Merrimac'  was  broken  and  her  mail  cut  through  by  the  sharp  edge 
of  the  'Monitor,'  causing  a  bad  leak.  In  the  desperation  of  the  fight 
the  ships  closed,  actually  touching  sides,  hurling  shot  and  shell  at 
each  other  with  demoniac  energy.  But  these  cast-iron  missiles  glanced 
or  crumbled  to  powder.  The  rebel  'Yorktown'  at  once  attempted  to 
interfere.  A  single  lyo-pound  shot  from  the  'Monitor'  passed  through 
the  traitor  and  sent  him  home  to  have  his  wounds  bandaged.  The  con- 
test was  for  a  time  so  hot,  the  muzzles  of  the  hostile  guns  almost  touch- 
ing each  other,  that  both  ships  were  enveloped  in  a  cloud  of  smoke, 
which  no  eye  could  penetrate.  Flash  and  thunder-roar  burst  forth  in- 
cessantly from  the  tumultuous  maelstrom  of  darkness,  and  solid  balls, 
weighing  170  pounds,  glancing  from  the  armor,  ricochetted  over  the 
water  in  all  directions  for  one  and  two  miles.  Such  bolts  were  never 
hurled  from  the  fabled  hands  of  Jupiter  Olympus. 


=  p 


? 


I 


f. 

' 


History  of  the  "  Merriinac- Virginia," 

"Thus  the  duel  raged  with  unintermitted  fury  for  four  long  hours. 
The  'Monitor/  at  but  a  few  yards'  distance,  steamed  around  her  foe, 
planting  a  ball  here  and  a  ball  there,  eagerly  searching  to  find  some 
vital  spot.  She  tried  her  rudder,  her  sides,  her  screw,  just  above  the 
water  line,  just  below  the  water  line.  In  some  of  these  efforts  she  was 
successful,  and  at  length  three  gaping  holes  were  visible  and  the  'Merri- 
mac'  was  evidently  sinking.  The  rebel  was  whipped;  and  firing  his 
last  gun,  turned  to  run  away.  Unfortunately,  just  at  that  moment, 
as  Lieutenant  Worden  was  looking  out  at  the  iron  grating  of  the  pilot- 
house, a  loo-pound  shot  struck  point-blank  upon  the  grating,  just  be- 
fore his  eyes.  The  concussion  knocked  him  prostrate  and  for  the 
moment  senseless.  He  was  also  entirely  blinded  by  the  minute  frag- 
ments of  iron  and  powder  driven  into-  his  eyes,  an  injury  which  it  was 
almost  impossible  to  get  over.  This  occasioned  momentary  confusion, 
until  the  command  was  assumed  by  Lieutenant  Green.  The  'Merri- 
mac/  which  had  entered  the  conflict  with  a  spirit  so  proud  and  defiant, 
was  now  limping  on  the  retreat  thoroughly  whipped  and  humiliated. 
As  so  much  depended  upon  the  single  'Monitor/  it  was  not  deemed 
wise  to  expose  her  to  any  risks  not  actually  necessary.  She  had,  there- 
fore, received  orders  to  act  strictly  on  the  defensive,  and  by  no  means 
to  leave  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  fleet.  She,  however,  pursued 
her  disabled  foe  a  short  distance,  throwing  into  her  a  few  parting 
military  benedictions  and  then  left  her  to  seek  refuge  in  her  rebel 
anchorage.  As  Lieutenant  Worden  after  a  time  revived  from  the 
stunning  blow  he  had  received,  his  first  question  was :  'Have  I  saved 
the  "Minnesota"?*  'Yes/  was  the  reply,  'and  whipped  the  "Merri- 
mac."  'Then/  he  rejoined,  'I  care  not  what  becomes  of  me/  ' 

The  above  is  miswritten  history,  and  no  facts  justify  such  statements; 
they  have  misled  our  country. 

The  next  morning  (Sunday,  March  9th)  after  an  early  breakfast,  a 
consultation  was  held,  the  command  having  devolved  on  the  gallant,  able 
and  courageous  Catesby  Ap.  R.  Jones,  than  whom  none  deserved  more 
honor  for  bravery  and  cool  daring,  and  under  whose  supervision,  as  execu- 
tive officer,  the  construction  of  the  armament  of  the  ship  was  completed.  It 
was  decided  to  complete  the  destruction  of  the  now  almost  abandoned 
"Minnesota,"  even  while  our  ship  was  taking  water  freely  at  the  opening 
in  her  bow,  caused  from  the  loss  of  the  cast-iron  prow  left  in  the  "Cumber- 
land" when  we  ran  into  her.  Our  pumps  had  been  kept  busy  during  the 
night  relieving  the  ship  of  water.  However,  we  got  under  way,  making 
for  the  "Minnesota,"  when  suddenly  we  grounded  on  what  is  known  as  the 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

Middle  Ground  of  Hampton  Roads,  and  there  we  stuck  for  a  considerable 
time.  But  before  we  had  grounded,  the  "Monitor"  was  discovered  corn- 
ing out  from  where  the  "Minnesota"  lay  aground,  appearing  to  us,  as  she 
has  been  called,  ua  cheese-box,"  or  a  "tin  can  on  a  shingle."  It  was  not 
long  before  she  was  recognized  as  the  Ericsson  "Monitor,"  and  we  opened 
fire  upon  her  with  our  bow-rifle,  but  with  no  effect.  Straight  on  she  came 
toward  us,  and  when  in  good  position  let  loose  her  heavy  guns,  giving  us  a 
good  shaking  up.  Thus  she  continued  circling  around  us,  and  every  now 
and  then  throwing  the  heavy  missiles  against  our  sides.  We,  in  response, 
as  she  passed  around,  brought  every  gun  aboard  our  ship  to  bear  upon  her. 
It  was  now  "Greek  meeting  Greek;"  iron  against  iron.  Hundred-pound 
shot  rattled  against  the  mailed  and  impenetrable  sides  of  the  combatants 
in  this  tremendous  duel  and  glanced  off  like  hail.  Never  before  had  ships 
met  carrying  such  heavy  guns.  From  both  vessels  the  firing  was  executed 
with  great  rapidity  and  with  equal  skill,  with  but  little  effect  on  either  side. 
However,  our  weak  points  seemed  to  be  known  to  the  commander  of  the 
"Monitor,"  and  so  well  did  he  attack  these,  that  soon  on  the  starboard 
midship,  over  the  outboard  delivery,  he  so  bent  in  our  plating  that  the 
massive  oak  timbers  were  cracked,  and  from  this  and  the  continued  ricochet 
shots  of  the  "Minnesota"  considerable  concern  was  beginning  to  be  felt  by 
our  commander  and  all  on  board.  Soon,  however,  we  were  relieved,  by  the 
moving  of  our  ship,  from  the  position  which,  for  such  a  trying  period,  we  had 
occupied.  Then,  with  a  settled  determination  on  the  part  of  our  commander 
to  run  the  "Monitor"  down,  as  a  last  resort,  seeing  that  our  shots  were  in- 
effective, I  was  directed  to  convey  to  the  engine  room  orders  for  every  man 
to  be  at  his  post.  We  caught  and  did  run  into  the  "Monitor,"  and  came 
near  running  her  under  the  water;  not  that  we  struck  her  exactly  at  right 
angles,  but  with  our  starboard  bow  drove  against  her  with  a  determination 
of  sending  her  to  the  bottom,  and  so  near  did  we  come  to  accomplishing 
our  object  that  from  the  ramming,  and  shot  of  our  rifle  gun  that  blinded 
her  commander,  she  withdrew  to  shoal  water  near  the  "Minnesota,"  whence, 
by  reason  of  our  heavy  draft,  we  could  not  follow — never  again  to  offer  or 
accept  battle  with  the  "Virginia."  After  waiting  on  the  ground  of  our  vic- 
tory, without  any  signs  of  her  return,  for  possibly  an  hour  or  more,  we 
steamed  up  to  the  Navy  Yard,  receiving  the  shouts  and  huzzas  of  the  thou- 
sands of  our  people  who  had  witnessed  our  great  triumph. 

I  wish  to  emphasize  the  facts  just  related  of  the  purposed  collision  with 
the  "Monitor"  and  our  desire  to  repeat  it,  and  of  her  withdrawal  from  the 
field,  and  her  refusal  then  or  thereafter  to  engage  in  battle  with  the  "Vir- 
ginia," notwithstanding  this  statement  is  in  positive  contradiction  of  the 
theory  generally  accepted  at  the  North,  and  even  published  in  the  school 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

histories  of  to-day.  An  incident  on  this  point  will  illustrate  the  prevalence 
of  an  incorrect  record  of  the  case.  Some  years  ago,  when  in  New  York, 
I  visited  the  cyclorama  illustrating  this  fight,  then  on  exhibition.  When,  dur- 
ing the  course  of  his  lecture  on  the  subject  to  the  spectators,  the  manager 
made  statements  that  were  not  facts,  I  interrupted  him  and  called  his  atten- 
tion to  the  same.  He  asked  me  what  I  knew  about  it.  I  answered  that  I 
was  an  officer  on  board  the  "Virginia, "  and  he  politely  requested  an  inter- 
view with  me.  After  finishing  his  talk  he  came  to  me  and  said  he  was  well 
aware  of  the  errors  he  was  circulating,  but  that  in  order  to  make  his  show 
popular  he  was  forced  to  state  what  he  did. 

By  4  o'clock  we  were  back  in  the  dry  dock  at  the  Navy  Yard.  The 
grand  old  ship  was  a  picture  to  behold.  You  could  hardly  put  your  hand 
on  a  spot  on  the  sides,  or  smokestack,  that  had  not  been  battered  by  the 
shot  of  our  enemy. 

Large  improvements  to  the  "Virginia"  were  made  under  the  super- 
vision of  Commodore  Tatnall,  of  Georgia,  who  had  assumed  command, 
owing  to  the  disability  of  Commodore  Buchanan,  these  improvements  con- 
sisting of  a  new  wrought  iron  prow,  port  covers,  etc.  When  completed, 
she  went  down  to  Old  Point  and  offered  battle  to  the  "Monitor"  and  all  the 
great  wooden  war-ships  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  including  the  "Vanderbilt," 
which  ship  had  been  specially  brought  forward  to  accomplish  her  destruc- 
tion. We  manned,  carefully,  four  small  steamers  fully  equipped  to  capture 
the  "Monitor"  by  wedging  the  turret  and  securing  down  the  hatches, 
and  while  one  or  more  of  these  boats  might  have  been  destroyed, 
so  well  was  our  late  antagonist's  build  then  understood  had  either 
reached  her  she  would,  in  my  judgment,  have  been  captured.  Neither 
the  "Monitor"  nor  any  one  of  the  large  ships  the  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment had  ordered  there  would  come  out  from  under  the  guns  of 
Fortress  Monroe,  while  one  of  our  steamers,  the  "Jamestown,"  was  sent 
in  near  Hampton  and  captured  three  schooners  loaded  with  hay  and  grain, 
and  brought  them  safely  to  Norfolk.  After  cruising  about,  in  challenge  for 
battle,  without  having  it  accepted,  the  Commodore,  showing  signs  of  dis- 
gust, ordered  a  gun  fired  to  the  windward,  and  returned  to  the  buoy  off 
Sewell's  Point,  and  anchored  for  the  night.  The  next  day  we  came  to 
Norfolk  for  some  repairs  to  the  boiler.  A  few  days  thereafter,  having 
completed  our  repairs,  we  heard  heavy  firing,  and  received  orders  to  go 
to  the  aid  of  our  batteries  at  Sewell's  Point  that  were  being  bombarded  by 
the  "Monitor"  and  other  ships.  We  were  soon  under  way  and  steered 
directly  for  the  "Monitor"  and  others,  then  shelling  at  the  Point;  but  as 
we  approached  they  ceased  firing  and  retreated  below  the  forts,  we  follow- 
ing until  we  exchanged  several  shots  with  the  Rip  Raps.  With  consider- 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

able  disappointment,  Commodore  Tatnall  ordered  the  ship  back  to  her  buoy 
at  Sewell's  Point.  The  next  day,  or  soon  thereafter,  we  noticed  our  bat- 
teries were  not  flying  our  flag,  and  upon  learning  the  cause  we  found  that 
Norfolk  was  being  evacuated,  thus  ending  the  necessity  of  holding  our 
present  position.  The  next  thing  to  do  was  either  to  go  out  to  sea,  which 
all  agreed  to  do,  if  permitted,  or  go  up  the  James  River.  Positive  orders 
were  received  to  come  up  to  Richmond.  Upon  consultation  with  the  pilots  it 
was  learned  that  if  we  could  lighten  the  ship  enough  to  let  her  draw  four 
or  five  feet  less,  we  could  get  over  the  bar.  This  action  was  agreed  upon, 
and  all  were  set  to  work  heaving  over  the  ballast  and  other  articles,  in 
order  to  bring  her  up  to  eighteen  feet  draught.  We  learned  by  12  o'clock 
Saturday  night  that  we  could  not  get  up  the  river  for  some  reason,  and  now 
being  exposed  by  having  some  two  feet  of  the  wooden  hull  out  of  the  water, 
nothing  was  left  but  to  destroy  the  ship,  in  order  to  keep  her  from  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  She  was  then  run  aground,  above  Craney 
Island,  and  the  work  of  destruction  commenced.  We  had  but  two  boats  to 

^ 

land  our  large  crew  safely  on  shore;  consequently  we  had  to  leave  all  our 
personal  effects  on  board  the  steamer.  I  was  one  of  ten  selected  to  destroy 
the  ship,  and  held  the  candle  for  Mr.  Oliver,  the  gunner,  to  uncap  the 
powder  in  the  magazine  to  insure  a  quick  explosion,  and,  necessarily,  was 
among  the  last  to  leave  her  decks.  A  more  beautiful  sight  I  never  beheld 
than  that  great  ship  on  fire,  flames  issuing  from  the  port-holes,  through  the 
gratings  and  smokestack — the  conflagration  was  a  sight  ever  to  be  remem- 
bered. Thus  closed  the  life,  on  Saturday  night,  May  12,  1862,  of  our 
gallant  ship.  Our  crew  landing  Sunday  morning,  possibly  about  4  o'clock, 
we  had  to  march  to  Suffolk,  arriving  that  night,  having  been  without  food 
since  Saturday  noon.  We  took  the  train  and  arrived  at  Richmond  the  next 
day,  and  were  ordered  to  Drewry's  Bluff,  and  there  we  prevented  the  enemy 
from  reaching  Richmond,  stopping  the  progress  of  the  entire  fleet,  including 
the  "Monitor"  that  had  refused  to  meet  the  same  men  when  on  the  decks 
of  the  "Virginia"  before  her  destruction.  With  considerable  loss  to  them, 
and  but  little  to  us,  we  drove  the  entire  fleet  back  down  the  river. 

The  following  minute  account  of  the  great  combat,  by  a  foreigner  and 
a  disinterested  witness,  should  put  at  rest  forever  the  oft-repeated  assertion 
that  the  "Monitor"  defeated  the  "Virginia."  The  French  ship  was  at 
anchor  between  Sewell's  Point  and  the  Rip  Raps.  Her  commander  had 
a  good  view  of  all  that  transpired,  and  his  plain  statements  conclusively 
prove  that  the  "Monitor"  did  not  obtain  a  victory  over  the  "Virginia." 

The  commander  of  the  "Gassendi,"  a  French  man-of-war,  who  wit- 
nessed the  combat,  made  a  report  to  his  government,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing are  extracts: 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

"On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  light  breeze  from  the  N.N.W.; 
very  fine  weather;  slight  ebb  tide.  About  12:40,  a  mass,  having  the 
appearance  of  a  barrack's  roof  surmounted  by  a  large  funnel,  appeared 
at  the  entrance  of  Elizabeth  River,  a  little  inside  of  Sewell's  Point. 
Every  one  recognized  the  'Merrimac'  immediately,  which,  accom- 
panied by  two  gunboats,  the  'Beaufort'  and  the* 'Raleigh,'  advanced 
slowly  toward  the  channel  of  Hampton  Roads.  After  several  evolu- 
tions, executed  doubtless  to  assure  herself  of  the  good  working  of  her 
machinery,  the  'Merrimac'  seemed  for  an  instant  to  turn  back  toward 
Norfolk;  but  in  a  short  time  after  she  boldly  started  again  on  her 
course  at  an  apparent  speed  of  six  knots,  standing  for  the  Federal  sail- 
ing frigates  'Cumberland'  and  'Congress,'  anchored  at  the  entrance  of 
the  James  River.  The  two  gunboats  remained  at  the  entrance  of  the 
Elizabeth  River  to  watch  the  movement  of  the  Federal  vessels  an- 
chored off  Fortress  Monroe. 

"The  Federal  naval  force  at  the  anchorage  consisted  of  the  screw 
frigate  'Minnesota,'  for  more  than  a  month  cleared  for  action,  with 
steam  up;  of  the  screw  frigate  'Roanoke,'  also  cleared  for  action,  but 
which  an  inexplicable  negligence  had  allowed  to  remain  for  four  months 
with  her  main  shaft  broken,  and  which  tried  to  deceive  the  enemy  by 
a  useless  blowing  off  of  steam;  of  the  sailing  frigate  'St.  Lawrence,' 
which  had  arrived  the  day  before  to  replace  the  'Cumberland'  at  New- 
port News,  and  which  had  anchored  at  quite  a  distance  outside;  of 
two  three-masted  ships,  each  armed  with  six  cannon.  There  were  be- 
sides four  gunboats,  paddle-wheel  or  screw;  half  a  dozen  tugboats 
(each  carrying  a  3O-pounder  Parrott),  and  an  equal  number  of  ferry 
boats.  Not  one  of  these  vessels  appeared  to  notice  the  arrival  of  their 
formidable  enemy  in  the  Roads,  and  it  was  more  than  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  after  her  appearance  that  a  shot  fired  by  one  of  the  gunboats 
announced  that  she  was  in  sight. 

"At  about  1 130  the  'Minnesota'  hoisted  her  jib  and  started  at 
moderate  speed,  aided  by  a  tugboat  towing  by  the  starboard  side. 
The  'Roanoke,'  towed  by  two  tugboats,  followed  her  more  slowly  still. 
Having  arrived  near  the  Rip  Raps  the  'Minnesota'  stopped  and  ran 
out  lines  as  though  to  take  the  'Roanoke'  in  tow;  but  she  soon  appeared 
to  relinquish  that,  and  about  2  o'clock  she  at  length  started  at  a  speed 
of  seven  or  eight  knots  standing  toward  Newport  News,  where  the  en- 
gagement took  place.  Her  tugboat  (the  'Dragon'),  then  went  to  the 
aid  of  the  'Roanoke,'  which  continued  to  advance  slowly,  her  three 
tugs  being  unable  without  great  difficulty  to  make  her  stem  the  current. 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac-Virginia." 

'The  paddle-wheel  gunboat  'Whitehall'  and  the  screw  gunboat 
'Mystic/  bore  off  toward  Newport  News  also,  but  they  took  a  very 
minor  part  in  the  fight.  As  these  vessels  came  abreast  of  Sewell's  Point 
battery  that  battery  opened  fire  on  them.  They  replied  to  it;  but  this 
fire  at  long  range  (about  2,500  meters),  to  which  was  added  that  of 
the  Rip  Raps,  could  but  produce  an  insignificant  effect. 

"About  2  130  the  'Minnesota'  ran  aground  on  the  shoals  north 
of  Hampton  Middle  Ground,  a  mile  from  Newport  News.  The 
Southern  batteries  and  gunboats  fired  upon  her  at  long  range.  The 
'Roanoke,'  fearing,  doubtless,  to  take  ground  also,  which  her  want  of 
speed  rendered  imminent,  then  changed  her  course  and,  spreading  her 
sails,  came  back  to  the  anchorage  off  the  Fortress,  where  she  arrived 
about  4  o'clock:  The  tugs  went  to  the  aid  of  the  'Minnesota.'  The 
'Mystic'  came  back  to  the  anchorage  also  about  the  same  hour,  and  the 
frigate  'St.  Lawrence,'  which  up  to  that  time  had  steadily  proceeded 
toward  the  scene  of  the  engagement,  imitated  likewise  the  maneuver 
of  the  'Roanoke'  and  'Mystic.' 

"The  'Merrimac,'  however,  had  continued  to  direct  her  course 
toward  the  frigates  which  she  wished  to  destroy.  The  two  gunboats 
had  rejoined  her  and  at  2  o'clock  she  was  at  the  entrance  of  the  James 
River.  She  was  immediately  greeted  by  a  violent  cannonade  from  the 
two  frigates  and  from  the  batteries  of  Newport  News.  The  Con- 
federate battery  at  Pig  Point  replied.  The  fight  was  then  hidden  from 
us  in  a  great  measure  by  the  point,  which  allowed  us  to  see  only  the 
masts  of  the  frigates;  but  we  were  able  to  estimate  the  force  of  the 
fire,  which  during  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  particularly,  was  of  the  hottest. 
We  could  see  the  entrance  of  the  river  constantly  swept  in  all  direc- 
tions by  the  shot  that  ricochetted,  and  the  strength  of  the  detonations 
indicated  to  us  that  they  were  guns  of  the  heaviest  caliber,  which  were 
testing  the  armor  of  the  'Merrimac.'  This  vessel,  after  having  deliv- 
ered a  broadside  at  the  'Congress,'  the  nearest  of  the  two  frigates, 
advanced  toward  the  'Cumberland,'  whose  formidable  battery  might 
well  be  dreaded,  and  struck  her  amidships  at  a  speed  of  four  or  five 
knots,  partially  breaking  her  ram.  After  drawing  off  two  ships'  lengths, 
and  having  delivered  a  second  broadside  at  the  'Congress,'  the  'Merri- 
mac' a  second  time  rammed  the  'Cumberland,'  which  sank  almost  imme- 
diately. It  was  then  about  2 :3O.  It  would  seem  that  this  second  blow 
was  unnecessary. 

"The  two  steamers,  'Yorktown'  and  'Jamestown,'  which,  having 
descended  the  James  River,  awaited  a  little  higher  up  the  moment  of 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

attack,  after  having  opened  fire  upon  the  'Congress'  in  passing,  ap- 
peared in  Hampton  Roads  and  engaged  in  a  very  sharp  fight  with  the 
two  Federal  gunboats  and  the  stranded  'Minnesota.1 

"The  'Merrimac'  reappeared  also  outside  the  point,  fired  alter- 
nately at  the  'Congress'  and  the  batteries  of  Newport  News,  while 
the  Southern  gunboats  did  likewise.  Toward  3  o'clock  that  frigate 
hoisted  her  jib,  sheeted  home  her  topsails,  ran  forward  a  ship's  length 
and  grounded  immediately  on  the  sand  banks  south  of  the  entrance 
of  the  river.  Almost  at  the  same  instant  she  struck  her  colors,  which 
she  replaced  by  a  white  flag  and  a  little  later  she  hoisted  another  at 
the  mainmast. 

"It  was  at  this  time  that  the  following  incident  occurred,  of  which 
the  Southern  papers  complain : 

"So  soon  as  the  white  flag  had  announced  to  the  Confederates 
the  surrender  of  the  frigate,  they  ceased  firing  and  one  of  their  gun- 
boats, the  'Raleigh,'  approached  her  and  ran  alongside  of  her  on  the 
starboard  side  to  take  off  the  officers  and  to  tell  the  crew  to  go  ashore 
in  their  boats ;  but  at  the  moment  that  the  gunboat  in  good  faith  came 
alongside  the  frigate,  guns  fired  by  the  Federals  hid  in  the  edge  of 
the  woods,  and  some  also  from  the  'Congress,'  killed  and  wounded 
many  officers  and  sailors  of  the  'Raleigh.'  Some  men,  even  on  the  Con- 
gress,' were  struck  by  balls  coming  from  the  land.  This  incident,  of 
which  the  Confederates  have  bitterly  complained,  has  been  copied  by 
the  majority  of  the  Northern  newspapers;  not  one  has  contradicted  it. 
One  of  them  (the  New  York  Herald,  of  the  I4th)  has,  on  the  con- 
trary, confirmed  it. 

"The  'Merrimac'  continued  to  fire  at  the  batteries  of  Newport 
News  up  to  the  moment  that  the  'Raleigh'  drew  off  from  the  Con- 
gress' (about  4  o'clock).  All  of  them  drew  near  to  the  'Minnesota* 
which,  still  aground  and  slightly  inclined  to  starboard  and  surrounded 
by  three  or  four  gunboats,  exchanged  shots  at  long  range  with  the 
'Yorktown'  and  'Jamestown.'  The  'Roanoke'  was  already  en  route  for 
the  anchorage.  The  'St.  Lawrence,'  which  arrived  on  the  scene  of 
action,  took  part  but  for  a  short  time,  and  everything  looked  as  though 
the  resistance  of  the  'Minnesota'  could  not  be  prolonged. 

"ftfowever,  the  shallowness  of  the  water  did  not  permit  the 
'Merrimac'  to  draw  near  to  the  frigate  and  the  other  vessels  were  of 
too  slight  a  build  to  expose  themselves  near  her  powerful  battery. 

"The  combatants  appeared,  besides,  exhausted  by  the  emotions 
and  fatigue  of  a  continued  struggle  of  more  than  three  hours.  Per- 


History  of  the  "  Merrimac- Virginia." 

haps  the  Confederates,  almost  sure  of  taking  the  frigate  on  the  mor- 
row, did  not  wish  to  damage  the  hull  nor  the  machinery  too  much. 
However  it  may  be,  the  fire  slackened  a  great  deal.  About  6  o'clock  it 
had  entirely  ceased  and  the  vessels  disappeared  little  by  little  in  the 
fog  which  obscured  the  horizon.  At  7  130  the  'Congress'  was  on  fire 
and  blew  up  at  midnight  with  a  tremendous  report.  The  Confederates 
had  succeeded,  besides,  in  cutting  out  in  the  James  River  and  taking 
to  Norfolk  the  water  tank  'Reindeer,'  which  alone  supplied  the  fort 
and  vessels  with  water. 

"Everything  seemed  desperate  on  the  evening  of  the  8th,  and  a 
general  panic  appeared  to  take  possession  of  everyone.  The  terrible 
engine  of  war,  so  often  announced,  had  at  length  appeared,  and  in  an 
hour  at  most  had  destroyed  two  of  the  strongest  ships  of  the  Union, 
silenced  two  powerful  land  batteries  and  seen  the  rest  of  the  naval 
force,  which  the  day  before  blockaded  the  two  rivers,  retreat  before 
her.  Several  vessels  changed  their  anchorage  and  all  held  themselves 
in  readiness  to  stand  out  to  sea  at  the  first  movement  of  the  enemy. 
Everything  was  in  confusion  at  Fortress  Monroe;  ferry  boats,  gun- 
boats and  tugboats  were  coming  and  going  in  all  directions ;  drums  and 
bugles  beat  and  sounded  with  unusual  spirit.  Fortress  Monroe  and 
the  battery  of  the  Rip  Raps  exchanged  night  signals  without  inter- 
mission. In  spite  of  the  assistance  of  half  a  dozen  steamers,  the  'Min- 
nesota' could  not  succeed  in  getting  afloat  again,  and  I  learned  that  a 
council  of  war  held  on  the  subject  even  entertained  for  a  moment  the 
thought  of  burning  her.  Already  seven  or  eight  guns  had  been  thrown 
overboard,  and  some  others  spiked,  when  about  8  :4O  the  'Monitor* 
|( Ericsson  battery)  arrived,  which  was  to  save  the  'Minnesota'  and  the 
rest  of  the  vessels  at  the  anchorage. 

"The  sending  of  this  new  auxiliary  restored  the  shaken  confi- 
dence. She  immediately  directed  her  course  toward  the  place  where 
the  frigate  was  stranded  and  anchored  beside  her.  The  Confederate 
vessels  had  taken  their  position  under  Sewell's  Point,  and  the  night 
passed  without  incident,  each  one  waiting  with  impatience  the  results 
of  the  trial  of  the  morrow. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  Qth,  slight  breeze  from  the  east;  very  fine 
weather;  light  fog. 

"At  daylight,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Elizabeth  River,  the  Con- 
federate vessels  were  seen  under  steam,  the  'Minnesota'  still  unmov- 
able,  and  to  the  left  of  her,  scarcely  visible,  a  small  black  mass,  sur- 
mounted by  a  curl  of  smoke. 


-,of 
Con- 
iclad 


THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  SANTA  CRUZ 


" 


This  book  is  due  on  the  last  DATE  stamped  below. 


NOVIO'80 

NOV  1  4  1980REC'D 

DEC  11  1990  « 

DEC  2  1  1990  RECD 
DUE 

AUG29I992 


AUGl9l992itC 


507n-l,'69(J5643s8)2373— 3A,1 


